Paintings of upper-class men and women tell an important part of the history of costumes; but surviving garments themselves reveal even more. Every crease; stitch; and stain in a piece of clothing supplies information about its wearer and its era. This stunning book features eighteenth- and early-nineteenth-century garments from the premiere collection of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Illustrated with more than 300 color photographs; including many details and back views; the book treats not only elegant; high-style clothing in colonial America but also garments for everyday and work; the clothing of slaves; and maternity and nursing apparel.Drawing on contemporary written descriptions and on actual costumes of the period; the book analyzes what Americans in the eighteenth century considered fashionable and attractive and how they used clothing to assert status or to identify occupations. The book also examines the myths and meanings of clothing in British and American society; clothing for the entire lifecycle; and a history of clothing alteration. Informative sidebars on a variety of fascinating topics complete the volume.
#1002107 in Books 2010-10-19Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.30 x 1.03 x 6.32l; 1.47 #File Name: 0300168101480 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Four Centuries of Christian interaction with Roman and Greek religious persuasions.By John HudsonI was interested in filling in the context for the growth of Chrisitanity over the first four centuries; especially in connection with the Roman and Greek culture at the time. The book shows the many interactions in four areas; receiving the gifts and power of the divine; moral transformation; flight from the world; and stabiliization of life through the respective cultic activities. Aside from reading the original texts this provides a good summery and understanding of the material. It also as the author says is very relevant to understand how persons of the Christian persuasion have overly demonized other religious persuasions in a way that is not helpful in aa time of interfaith diversity.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Good comparative analysisBy Patrick J. GogginsJohnson's four ways of being religious do apply; as he says; to almost all authentic religious experiences. What I hoped for was a more thorough analysis of the Greco-Roman religious experience; and how the early Christian evangelists interacted with it.3 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Impressive and profitable effortBy Chicago readerIt seems Luke Johnson always has something interesting to say. And; what he has to say is founded on his extensive research. Therefore; if someone desires to disagree with Johnson's interpretation it requires an extensive moment of silence before his evidence prior to opening one's mouth. Yes; the 100+ pages of footnotes is daunting but one has to appreciate that someone is doing the study for which others (me!) don't have the time or the inclination to do. I would have enjoyed a longer section on "implications" and I would hope that Johnson would consider such in a later book. Nonetheless; his "implications" are instructive. Arguing that the structure of my religiousness is right does not make the structure of religious expression of someone else; wrong. That premise appears sadly lacking in many debates. To reflect on Christianity in light of the structure of "pagan" religions simply confirms to me that much of human religiousness finds common human structure allowing us to investigate content a bit more intentionally. I have profited by reading this book.
